Like the iPhone and Blackberry smartphones, users of Google Android phones are able to access a marketplace to download applications, or “apps,” to increase the functionally of the smartphone. However, with over 10,000 apps available, both free and paid, and multiple apps for similar purposes, it is hard to determine which ones are truly useful.
Below is a list of apps the author has found useful to use on a Motorola Droid. All applications are available for download for free from the Android Market.
Communication and Social Media
The Droid comes pre-loaded with Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Talk apps, all of which have to be linked to a new or existing (free) Google account.
The Droid also has Email and Corporate Calendar apps pre-loaded that can be linked with corporate business accounts. Corporate users should download the Corporate Directory app for access to global contacts through a corporate account.
A Facebook application comes pre-downloaded on the Motorola Droid. Once linked to a Facebook account, the app provides easy access to notifications, the news feed, friends, photos and the user’s profile.
For Twitter users, Twidroid is a useful application. Upon downloading, the app will be linked to a Twitter account for access to the feed, mentions, direct messages, search, and of course, the update field.
Music and Multimedia
Fans of Pandora internet radio will be satisfied with the app for Android. Users can switch between different personalized radio stations and easily rate songs while listening. New stations can also be created and old stations deleted within the app.
Shazam is a useful app for “tagging” music. Shazam will “listen” to whatever music is playing – on the radio, an overhead speaker, any source – and after about 15 seconds will display the name, artist and album of the song. Shazam also automatically stores tagged songs for later retrieval.
Travel and Place
The Google Maps application comes pre-downloaded on the Droid. It automatically shows the current location, and with a quick search will give turn-by-turn voice directions. By turning on different layers, users can see real-time traffic information and a satellite view, and upon arriving at a destination, Google street view will show a photo of the actual destination.
Motorola Droid users can purchase the Car Mount accessory for $29.99 to turn the Droid into a hands-free GPS Navigation device.
Google Maps can also use Google Latitude for users to “track” friends, on an opt-in basis. With one tap, a friend’s last known location (based on GPS) is displayed, along with when that the friend was in that location.
The Yelp application will quickly find any type of location nearby – restaurants, bars, banks, gas stations, services and more – and will display useful information such as the address, phone number, hours, price range and most importantly, user reviews.
The Mileage app allows users to track gas mileage information on their car, by inputting data with each tank fill up. The app will use that information to display a history and statistics of the car’s mileage.
Productivity and Other Handy Apps
The Weather Bug application will automatically display the current outside temperature in the status bar, using GPS to determine the correct location. When pulling down the status bar “shade” and tapping the current weather information, Weather Bug is instantly launched. With a tap, it will display the 7-day forecast, radar map, current alerts and a video feed from the closest weather camera.
The application Locale allows users to set certain situations, and what the phone should do in that situation. For example, using GPS, the phone can be set to go into silent or a quieter mode whenever at a certain location, like the office, movie, theater or library.
Fitness buffs will like the CardioTracker app, which can use GPS to track a run, walk, or bike ride, and also allows users to manually input other workouts, such as using cardio equipment, swimming, dancing, yoga and more. The app stores all workouts and calculates miles traveled and calories burned.
The Future of the Android Market
As more and more Android phones are released and sold, it can only be assumed that the Android Market will grow with more and more offerings. It is likely the that top apps today might be replaced by even more useful apps in six months. Luckily, many apps are free to download, so it is easy for users to install and uninstall apps to personalize an Android phone to best suit their individual needs.
Maggie Wolff - Maggie has over seven years of experience in public relations and marketing in the fields of healthcare, performing arts, and professional ...
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